Brandon Workman is still seen as a starting pitcher, but for now, the Boston Red Sox will use him out of the bullpen.

With Craig Breslow starting the season on the 15-day disabled list due to mild shoulder strain, Workman, who had 16 strikeouts to two walks in 15 2/3 Grapefruit League innings this spring, made the team as the seventh reliever.

"We don't want the back and forth," manager John Farrell told reporters in Fort Myers on Saturday. "It's one thing about stretching out in spring training and going to the bullpen for a short period of time, but once that time period shifts him back to a starter, we want him to remain in that role just for long-term health and minimizing any potential risk.

"In general, you can say that 2-3 weeks at a maximum, for a guy that's been stretched out, if he's pitching out of the bullpen, at that point, he can still be inserted, but after that 2-3 week period, you've got to send him -- you've got to get multiple innings and get him stretched back out."

Especially early in the season, when starting pitchers aren't yet in mid-season form, relievers can be more heavily relied upon. Workman's ability to throw multiple innings made him an ideal candidate.

Left-hander Drake Britton was also a candidate and had a strong spring, but he's been working simply as a reliever this spring and isn't stretched out enough to handle a long relief role. He will start the year with Triple-A Pawtucket.